discussion
discussion
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "discussion" is /dɪˈskʌʃn/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
dis - /dɪs/
/d/ - voiced alveolar stop
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
cus - /kʌʃ/
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/ʌ/ - open-mid back unrounded vowel
/ʃ/ - voiceless postalveolar fricative
sion - /n/
/n/ - alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
The word "discussion" primarily functions as a noun. Here are its common forms and variations:
discussion (singular noun): This is the base form, referring to a single instance of a conversation or debate.
discussions (plural noun): Refers to multiple instances of conversations or debates. For example, "We had several discussions about the project."
discuss (verb): This is the verb form, meaning to talk about something. For example, "We need to discuss the project." Related verb forms include discussing, discussed, discusses.
discussant (singular noun): A person who participates in a discussion, often in a formal setting.
discussants (plural noun): Multiple people who participate in a discussion.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1 (General): A conversation or debate about a specific topic, often with the goal of reaching a conclusion or agreement.
Synonyms: conversation, dialogue, debate, deliberation, exchange, conference, consultation
Antonyms: silence, quiet, monologue, soliloquy
Definition 2 (Formal): A structured exchange of ideas and opinions, typically in a professional or academic setting.
Synonyms: symposium, seminar, colloquium, panel discussion, forum
Antonyms: informal chat, gossip, rumor, whispering
Verb:
Definition: To talk about something in a detailed or formal way, considering different viewpoints and perspectives.
Synonyms: debate, argue, negotiate, confer, consult, ventilate, canvass
Antonyms: ignore, disregard, dismiss, avoid, gloss over, keep silent about
Adjective:
While "discussional" exists, it's not in common usage. Instead, descriptive adjectives are typically used with "discussion," such as:
Example: "We had a productive discussion."
Related terms: fruitful, constructive, informative, engaging, lively, heated (can also be negative)
Antonyms (for productive): unproductive, pointless, fruitless, sterile
Adverb:
There isn't a standard adverb form of "discussion." To express something related, you'd use phrases like:
"We discussed the matter at length."
Synonyms: thoroughly, extensively, in detail, comprehensively
Antonyms: briefly, superficially, cursorily
Examples of Use
Books:
"The book club's discussion of the latest novel lasted well into the evening." (Hypothetical example, demonstrating common usage)
"In Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari prompts a discussion about the future of humanity." (Referencing a popular non-fiction book, implying the book encourages discussion.)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The city council held a heated discussion about the proposed budget cuts." (News article example, focusing on a public event.) (Hypothetical example, similar to typical news reporting.)
"An online discussion forum for fans of the TV show 'The Crown' is filled with theories about the upcoming season." (Example showing use in online communities.) (Hypothetical example.)
"A recent article in the New York Times sparked a national discussion about income inequality." (Referencing a real publication and a common topic of discussion.)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"The director's commentary on the DVD included a discussion of the film's special effects." (Example from film/DVD context.) (Hypothetical, but a common feature on DVDs/Blu-rays.)
"On their podcast, the hosts had a lively discussion about the latest trends in music." (Example from podcasting.) (Hypothetical, but podcasts frequently feature discussions.)
"The online gaming platform had a dedicated channel for discussions about game strategy." (Example from online gaming.) (Hypothetical example of online community features.)
General Public Discourse:
"After the meeting, there was a brief discussion among the team members about the next steps." (Example from a workplace setting.) (Hypothetical, but representative of everyday communication.)
"Over dinner, the family had a discussion about their vacation plans." (Example from a casual, personal setting.) (Hypothetical, but a very common scenario.)
"There's been a lot of discussion in the neighborhood about the new park being built." (Example showing community-level discussion.) (Hypothetical.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Discussion
“Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument an exchange of ignorance.” — Robert Quillen
“The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.” — Joseph Joubert
“Honest discussion is always good, and that’s what democracy is about.” — Mahatma Gandhi (commonly attributed; theme consistent with his beliefs)
“Discussion is impossible with someone who claims not to seek the truth, but already to possess it.” — Romain Rolland
“A good discussion increases the dimensions of everyone who takes part.” — Randolph Bourne
“Discussion is the lifeblood of democracy. When it ceases, we drift toward despotism.” — Herbert Hoover
“The human mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. This is why meaningful discussion matters.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (expanded paraphrase)
“True discussion requires not only a willingness to speak but also a readiness to listen.” — Barbara Jordan
“In all serious discussion, we must be prepared to be wrong.” — Alan Watts
“Freedom of speech includes the freedom to have a serious discussion—even when it is uncomfortable.” — Noam Chomsky
Etymology
Let's break down the etymology of "discussion" in a way that's easy to understand. Etymology is basically the study of where words come from and how their meanings have changed over time.
"Discussion" comes to us from Latin. Its root is discutere, which literally means "to shake apart" or "to strike asunder." Imagine shaking something to pieces or breaking it apart – that's the core image.
This Latin word discutere is itself a combination of two parts:
dis- meaning "apart" or "asunder"
quatere (or cutere in some forms) meaning "to shake," which is related to the word "cussion" (like in percussion instruments, where things are struck).
So, the original idea behind "discussion" was about breaking down a topic, examining it from different angles, and separating the different parts to understand them better. It wasn't necessarily about arguing, but more about analyzing and exploring.
The first known use of "discussion" in English (according to records) was in the late 14th century. At that time, it carried a similar meaning to its Latin root, focusing on the idea of examining or investigating something. Over time, the meaning evolved to become more specifically about talking about something, exchanging ideas, and debating – the sense we know today.
In short, "discussion" originally meant "shaking something apart" (metaphorically, of course, like shaking apart an idea). It came from Latin, and its meaning gradually shifted over the centuries to refer to the conversations and debates we have today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Discussion
Common Phrases (Not Idioms, but Common Usage):
Open discussion: This implies a free-flowing conversation where everyone is encouraged to share their views.
Productive discussion: A discussion that leads to positive outcomes or progress.
Heated discussion: A lively and potentially contentious discussion where people have strong opinions.
In-depth discussion: A thorough and detailed exploration of a topic.
Further discussion: Indicates that a topic will be discussed again at a later time.
Under discussion: A topic that is currently being considered or debated.
Phrases Related to the Concept of Discussion (Synonyms and Related Ideas):
Since "discussion" itself doesn't lend itself to many idioms, we can look at phrases related to talking, debating, or communicating:
"Let's talk about..." (Very common, replaces a more formal "Let's have a discussion about...")
"Get the conversation going" (Relates to starting a discussion.)
"Put our heads together" (Implies a collaborative discussion or problem-solving session.)
"Hash things out" (Means to discuss and resolve a disagreement.)
"Air our differences" (Similar to "hash things out," but emphasizes expressing differing opinions.)
Original Phrases (To Illustrate Usage):
"The discussion circled back to the central issue."
"A quiet discussion took place in the library."
"The discussion was tabled until the next meeting."
Why "Discussion" Isn't in Many Idioms:
As mentioned earlier, "discussion" is a more formal and literal term. Idioms tend to be more figurative and often involve action or concrete imagery. "Discussion" is an abstract concept, making it less suitable for the kind of vivid language that characterizes idioms. We use "discussion" mostly in its plain meaning, often combined with adjectives to specify the kind of discussion.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of discussion from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
